David Connolly: AFC Wimbledon sign veteran striker

Connolly joined Portsmouth on a free transfer from Southampton in January 2013

AFC Wimbledon have signed David Connolly after the veteran striker had his contract at Portsmouth cancelled by mutual consent.

The 37-year-old, who has not featured for Pompey this season, scored 42 goals in 68 appearances for the old Wimbledon FC between 2001 and 2003.

"David is a very good player who is still as sharp as ever," Dons boss Neal Ardley told the club website.

"He looks after himself and he is still in great shape."

Ardley had been looking to bolster his options up front after Matt Tubbs was recalled from his loan spell at Kingsmeadow by parent club Bournemouth, subsequently joining Portsmouth.

"We have looked at various options after Matt Tubbs left and we've decided to bring in two forwards rather than one," Ardley added.

"We lost an exceptional striker with Matt leaving but David is an out-and-out goalscorer. He is certainly one of the best I played with back in my time with Wimbledon."

Connolly, who won 41 international caps for the Republic of Ireland, made 38 appearances during his time at Fratton Park, scoring 12 goals.

The former Watford trainee has previously had spells at Feyenoord, West Ham, Leicester, Wigan, Sunderland and Southampton.

League Two side AFC Wimbledon have not disclosed the length of his contract.

Connolly spent two seasons with Wimbledon FC in the early 2000s